Johannes Johansson Vall Bjork

History of Johannes Johannson Vall Bjork and Cathrina Ersson

· Sep 23, 2013, 9:21 AM · 0 Comments

Johannes Johansson Vall Bjork was born 12 September 1810 at Molltorp, Skarabor, Sweden, the third son of Johan and Annicka Larsson Andersson Wall. His older brother being, Lars, born 2 January 1803; and Petter, born 18 July 1808. The country of Sweden, where Johannes was born, is a country of lowlands and mountains in Northern Europe. The Swedes call their country, Sverige, meaning State of the Swedes. Sweden covers an area a little larger than the combined areas of Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisianna, but has fewer people than these three states. About one out of every four of the Swedish people earn his living from farming. The farms are usually small, ranging from five to fifty acres. Fishing has always been an important part of their livlihood in Sweden. The Swedish industry centers aroung the southwestern coast, especially near the port of Goteborg. The year 1831, on the 12th of June, Johannes married Cathrina Ersson, second child and first daughter of Eric and Brita Olofsson Larsson. She was born 19 March 1801 at Undenas, Skaraborg, Sweden. Her brothers and sisters being; Lars, born 15 December 1785; Brita, born 20 April 1803; Olof, born 8 February 1806; Maria, born 6 November 1808. Two years after theri marriage, Johannes and Cathrina were blessed with a son, the name being given to him as Johan Gustaf, born 11 June 1833 at Brevick,Skarabor, in Sweden. Then the following children were born to this union as: Vilhelm or William born 6 April 1837; Anna Sophia, their only daughter, born 18 August 1840; and the last child born to this union being little August on the second day of April 1844. The Bjork family have been military men as far back as history has been traced of the Bjork family. Johannes was a corporal in the Swedish Army at the time Sweden was at war with Germany, which was early in the eighteenth centruy. He spent most of his life as a soldier, which trained him to be stalwart,brave, and courageous, as well as an expert gunmanship. He comes from one of the oldest families in Sweden. Johannes was a taylor by trade as well as being very good as a carptenter and mason. The Bjork family were devout Lutherans, this being the state religion at that time. Sweden has given to America a wonderful people. They are an intelligent and kind hearted people, enthusuastic and courageous in all their undertakings. And it seems to have followed through to our present day families. In the year 1839, a new religion having been formed called the Mormon Church or the Latter Day Saint Church formed 1832 in April, found two Apostles of this church on their way across the Atlantic Ocean to being missionary work in other countries. Apostles C. Kimball and Orson Hyde together with five other missionaries began their first attempts at this missionary work in a far away country of Great Britian. So far the preaching of this gospel by the Elders of this church had been confined to countries where the English language was spoken. Great Britian was the headquarters for the European countries. At a General Conference of the Mormon Church which was held in Salt Lake City in the year 1849, the month of October, a number of the missionaries were sent to distant lands this began the first step in sending missionaries out from the valley to preach the restored gospel in the foreign countries. An Elder Jhn E. Forsgren was directed to work in Sweden, and was set apart, his instructions received 7 October 1849. The gospel was accepted readily by some, others were unable to make the change, and certainly the country leaders were not making those men very welcome. But the spirit of Gathering was great here among these Scandanavian people. Those that believed in thsi new gospel had but one desire, to come to Zion, their common home, that being in the heart of the church at Salt Lake City, Utah. It was a still small voice and a mounting whirlwind in their hearts and through this a product of a thousand decisions that were personal decisions and of the Divine Will unfolding itself in history. (Ut. 16 "Homeward Bound" writtenb y William Mulder of the Mormon Migration from Scandanavia) "To stand in chosen places" meant getting out of Babylon and uniting with God's people, to build up the Kingdom and await greater spiritual endowments, the gathering was to be a roll of Saints without halos, in whom divinity had yet to breed wings of a people not already saved and sanctified but, one in faith and fellowship, eager to create conditions under which sainthood might be achieved. Building the Kingdom meant providing an enviroment that would regenerate the adult and rear the young so that they would never know themselves otherwise than as Saints. "As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become. by study, faith, and the experience, and intelligence which was the glory of God." (Homeward Bound). This represents out Scandanavian people to me, the way that they accepted this new religion into their lives and lived. They were called to do by those in the proper authority. These Scandanatian people proved most fruitful in accepting this gospel. At this time, there were actually more Mormons in England than in America. The headquarters at Liverpool served as Mormonism's busy European clearing-house for arriving missionaries and departing converts. The mission, launched in 1837, had showed a great joy to the leaders of the church. Characterized by aggressive leadership and strenous self-help, it established the pattern for the Scandanavian advent. The Saints in England and Scotland took up a collection for Apostle Snow and his companions as they preached their way to Copenhagen. (Homeward Bound) COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE, THAT YE BE NOT PARTAKERS OF HER SINS, AND THAT YE RECEIVE NOT OF HER PLAGUES. (Rev XVIII 4). Johannes and Cathrina, the parents, joined the Mormon Church 17 August 1854, along with their only daughter, Anna Sophia, then just a mere thirteen the following day that being the eighteenth when she would turn fourteen. The following year of 1855, the twenty second day of May,Willima, the second son and child of this Bjork family, joined the Mormon Chusrch, at the age of eighteen. After which three years following the remaining children joined. Johan then twenty four and August fourteen. Johan having been baptized 30 August 1857/ Now, the family desired to come to Zion, but financial conditions prevented them from leaving their native land. So it was, as with all other Mormon families with the same hope---they worked together, saving their money, one coming first to the land of America, and the others following as they in turn were assisted in the same manner. After the fourteenth year of waiting for this day, the first of the Bjork family left their beloved Sweden. August 19th 1868, William left Sweden and began his journey westward over the deep Atlantic Ocean. Of course a wave of sadness crept over him as he bad a farewell to friends and loved ones, yet his heart rejoiced for with him was Augusta, the girl he had chosen to be his life companion. She was to sail with him to the land of Zion where they might be married according to the Mormon principles. She was the daughter of Anders and Anna Maja Andersson Nilsson, having been born the fifteenth day of October 1836 at Brevick, in Skarabor, Sweden. By this time, of course, Johan Gustaf was married, having married Christina Larsen Johnsson of Fuglas, Skaraborg, Sweden. They having the following children born to them by this time. Christina Lotta, born 11 December 1855, Johan August, born 18 December 1857. These two children died this ame year of 1858; just two days apart Christina on the 13 September and John on the 15th of September. Almost two years later another son came to bless this good home for on the 16th of September 1860 John Frederick was born. Then little Peter Alfred made his entrance on the third day of February 1863. Soon another son was to join this family, for on the 17th day of November 1864 he was born, but he also did not remain long, just a near three years old he died on the first day of January 1867. Then the following June of this same year 1867, a little girl was born, Anna Sophia. She was born on the 19th day of June. Here now we take up our story of the migration of one of the family of Bjork into a new land. Showing now what the Bjork family had done up to this period of time. After several weeks on the ocean, Willam and Augusta arrived at New York City, where they were met by Brother H.B. Clawson, who was in charge of the emmigration there. From New York they went to St. Louis, then sailed up the Missouri River to Omaha, Nebraska. Here they were met by John Brown who was emmigration agent there. From here all the able bodied men were able to travel free to Laramie City by train if they would agree to work for Brigham Young on a contract he had to build the Union Pacific Railroad from the head of Echo Canyon to Promontory. William agreed to do this and left with other saints on the fifteenth of July by express. Here the church trains of wagons and mules were waiting to take the emmigrants on to Salt Lake Valley. William and August were assigned to travel to Utah in the John R. Murdock Company. It was midsummer, the desert was hot and dry. Many suffered heat, exhaustion, and thirst. William drove a mule team most of the way, walking at the side of a loaded wagon. Augusta traveling wearily at his side. Many happy as well as sad hours were spent when camped for the day. William and Augusta had much to talk and plan for. Their future lay before them, but little did they dream of the great sacrifice they still had to make after reaching Salt Lake. After months travel in dust, and heat from Wyoming, they arrived one sultry afternoon on the 19th of August in Salt Lake. Here Augusta remained and William went to work on the railroad at Echo Canyon, as he had agreed to do. Amas Lyman was foreman, being a kind and considerate man, he was greatly repsected by all his workman. After receiving a small amount of cash and some produce for his work, William, with a happy heart spent his first Christmas with Augusta, four days later, 29 December 1868, they were joined in holy matrimony. Soon after their marriage and by the advised of Brigham Young, William took up land at Willow Creek in Toole County, which was a short time later known as Grantsville. William owned a wagon and team of mules. It was in ths conveyance they journeyed to Willow Creek in frigid weather. The wagon was their home until William could get a one room log house built. After a few days of hard work this young couple were comfortably settled in their new home. Augusta's trunk served as a table until one could be bought. William's skillful hands made many pieces of their furniture. Augusta had brought bedding and a much treasured brass skillet from her native land. At dawn, 10 May 1869, while William and his workermen were busy fixing the grade for the laying of the last tics and rails at Promotory, the President of the Mormon Church was preparing to drive the Golden Spike connecting the east and west by rail. In a few hours he would arrive at his destination and there many great and prominent men and women would gather to see this great occasion. All the friends and loved ones of many of the men who had helped to make this occasion that it was, were present. August being a part of this group. She was very proud to think that William had been chosen by leaders of the church to supervise the building of the great railroad grading which must be done accurate. The year 1870 shows records of two more children being born to the family of Johan Gustaf Bjork and his good wife, Christina. For on the fifth of April 1870 a little girl was born to the, Marie Louise. Three years later another daughter was born to this union, for Emma Josephine came to bless this good home on the twenty second day of April 1873. All the children of Johan and his wife, Christina, were born at the town of Korsberga, Skaraborg, Sweden. William's skillful hands made many pieces of their furniture. Augusta had brought bedding and a much treasured brass skillet from her native land. At dawn, 10 May 1869, while William and his workmen were busy fixing the grade for the laying of the last tics and rails at Promotory, the President of the Mormon Church was preparing to drive the Golden Spike connecting the east and west by rail. In a few hours he would arrive at his destination and there many great and prominent men and women would gather to see this great occasion that it was, were present. Augusta being a part of this group. She was very proud to think that William had been chosen by leaders of the church to supervise the building of the great railroad grading which must be done accurate. The year 1870 shows record of two more children being born to the family of Johan Gustaf Bjork and his good wife, Christina. For on the fifth of April 1870 a little girl was born to them, Marie Louse. Three years later another daughter was born to this union, for Emma Josephine came to bless this good home on the twenty second day of April 1873. All the children of Johan and his wife, Christina, were born at the town of Korsberga, Skaraborg, Sweden. August, the youngest child born to the union of Johannes and Cathrina, married before 1869 to Ana Christin Jonsson, the duaghter of John Kling and Anna. She was born at Kynkefulla, Skaraborg, Sweden. August joined the Mormon Church in the year 1857 the 30th day of September, and his wife, Anna joined 17th August 1867. This family consisted of the following children: John Williams, born 22 November 1869 at Vestjorlund, Skaraborg, Sweden; Augusta; Sophia; Emile Elizabeth, born 19 September 1878 at Kyrkefulla, Skaraborg, Sweden and Karl Edmund born 22 September 1881. This family shows in records that the parent never came to America. The mother, Anna did not feel that she would like to cross the waters. But at a later date the children came to America. Settling in Utah, Chicago, and St. Paul. Emma being one of this family, having married first Anton kellgreen, second George D. Rugg 19 March 1924; Augusta married Fred Naylor, and L. Carlson. Karl Edmund never married. Amanda married, but we do not have record of this family, other than there is a fine group of Amanda's family that lives back east. After William Bjork and his good wife had settled in Willow Creek (Grantsville) they found hard times were certainly present their first few years in Utah. Hay was one hundred dollars a ton, seven dollars a bushel for potatoes, fourteen dollars a hundred for oats. And when times seemed to be getting better, grasshoppers devoured they hay and grain crops. So these good saints were a great and courageous people to have come from a fine country as they did and into a wilderness as it was then. And today we should honor these great people, for they have given us a great heritage to honor and respect. We are living in a wonderful country, and are receiving the riches of their efforts. The ground that William lived on at Grantsville was low and contained alkili, so the crops were almost a failure on the Bjork farm for the first year. William not only dug gradins on his own ground but for many others, receiving molasses as pay. Times were hard and disappointments many. Finally, the time came when William could send for others of the Bjork family that were still living in Sweden. Father Johannes, and mother Cathrina left Sweden together, but on the way after their arrival at Liverpool, a little trouble was encountered which made it so that the father could not continue on to America with mother Cathrina. She continued on alone. Memory can picture the sad parting when the mother and father were unable to travel together. He came at a later date. A grand reunion must have been witnessed when the joy and blessing of once again meeting the beloved ones of the Bjork family together in Utah. Sophia came across the plains and the ocean with Mr. and Mrs. Gustave Stromberg. They had two small children, of which, Sophia helped to care for. The Stromberg family had joined the Mormon Church in Sweden and as they were coming to Zion or Utah she came with them. They settled in Willow Creek or Grantsville after their arrival in Utah. The year of 1877 we find that William had moved to a new locality, that being then Provo Bench, now Orem, Utah. He bought twenty acres of land here. There was nothing but sagebrush when he moved his family to the bench. He got a little shanty that stood down below the Lindon Hill, and hauled that up to his ground, this being what they lived in until he could build a little bit better. William and Augusta had born to them one year after their marriage, a daugther named Wilhelminnie, born ninth of September 1869 at Grantsville. When his brother John came to Utah and decided to come out to William's at Prove Bench, William let John have one half of the twenty acres, and William built a little two room log house, of which that is still standing on the Hanson's property, although it has been built on to. A few years later John bought a place in Holladay and he then sold this to Sam Trimmer. After John came to Utah, he married second, Mary Mortenson, daughter of Peter and Ann Dorthea Justenson Mortenson. She was born 5 July 1869 at Goldbeck, Denmark. To this union their were born the following children; Carrie Eliza, born 11 July 1891; Anna Laura, born 9 July 1893; Nettie Emily, born 31 August 1895; Joesph Alma, born 7 September 1897; of these thus far mentioned they were born at Lindon, Utah County, Utah. After the family moved to Holliday there were two more children born, this being Nellie May born 30 June 1900 and Oscar Parley, born 19 January 1903, having died very shortly after his birth, 27 January 1903, just eight days old. While living in Grantsville, William and Augusta met a lovely young girl, Eva Charlotta Andersson. Often she had brough t a plate of hot buns and other dainties she had made to the Bjork home. By fequent visits and deeds of kindness, the Bjork family found and learned to love and respect Eva. Fro she was a fine girl. These were the days of plural marriages, and sacred trust, whent wo or more families could live in love and harmony. Such was the conditions in the Bjork home when William married the second wife, Eva Charlotta Anderson in the Logan Temple, 12 August 1885. Eva was the daughter of Anders and Catharina Andersson Ericsson. She was born at Julyta Nu Kopings, Sweden, the 31 March 1852. To this union was born the following children; Vilma Sophia, born 5 January 1890; Beatrice Charlotta, born 18 October 1892; two baby boys which did not live, that being baby boy born April 1891, and baby boy born 19 April 1898. They were all born at Pleasant Grove, actually this bein Provo Bench, now Orem. The year of 1877 shows record ofthe father Johannes having died, this being the day of the twenty ninth of August, the year of 1877, one month lacking his sixty-seventh birthday. he was laid away to rest in the Grantsville Cemetary, Toole County, Utah. Having spent an eventful and outstanding life. Sophia worked for the Stromberg family at Willow Creek, wherein a short time alter she met an Andres Johnsson and fell in love. Mr. Stromberg wanted her to stay and become his second wife, but she said not. Mr. Stromberg had paid for Sophia's emmigration to Utah, therefore Andres was informed that he would have to finish paying this fare of which Anres was only too glad to do so. Sophia was a very beautiful girl, she was favored by many men. But she chose to mary Andres Gustaf Johnsson the 8th of October 1863 at Logan Temple, Utah. The following children were born to this union; Emma Josephine, born 27 September 1864; Charlotta Anna, born 8 march 1867; Oscar Gustaf, born 6 May 1869; Clara Sophia, born 23 November 1871; and three days before the fifth child was born, Emma the first born died, 5 April 1874. Little Ida Lovisa made her entrance 8 April 1874; John Edward born 4 August 1876; and Matilda Jullietta born 23 September 1879. All were born at Grantsville, Utah. Sophia and Andres lived at Grantsville. They built a one room house which had a dirt roof and floor, of which they were thankful for that. He was a carpenter and tailor, sewing clothes for the men in the Grantsville area. Sophia carded, spun, and wove the wool, wherby, soon she woul dhave a few yards of cloth made, then Sophia would color the yarn by taking some kind of weed, cooking them for coloring. Then she would put that in a crock and overtime they had to use this they would go to the crock for the coloring. Sometime later of course they were able to buy material for the clothes. Sophia was left with six children, four girls and two boys when Andres went on a mission for the Mormon Church back to his home country of Sweden. Clara was eight years old when she went to work to help the family, also her brother Oscar. Julia was just six months old at the time. Sophia was a good nurse, and was a very kind hearted person, she would spend much time in the helping of others in the care of their sick. But Sophia suffered in poor health early in life. She had a tumor, having been operate on for this, but the operation was not a success and she died when she was forty eight years old. Andres had married the second wife, Hanna S. Carlsen 15 September 1887. She was born 11 August 1865 at Woedpler, Sweden. Sophia was lovingly laid to rest in the Grantsville, Cemetary, having died 11 December 1888. An incident about a ditheria epedemic at Grantsville, wherein Mrs. Stromberg lost all of her children; that being six. Her husbanad was on a mission for the Mormon Church at the time. Calra, the daughter of Sophia Johnsson was helping in the home of the Stromberg family and of course she contracted the disease. There were only two in the town of Grantsville who lived, the disease was considered fatal. The year of 1890 shows record that the mother Cathrina died on the tenth of July. She is buried beside her husband in the Grantsville Cemetary. She died of old age. She was a sturdy strong woman. And she always walked to church. She was a wonderful happy person, one which was always an up and going type. On in which time was a priceless and valuable asset and not to be wasted intrivial matters. August, the brother who did not come to America, wrote to the family here in America, he and William tried to colelct dates and names on their ancestry in Sweden for a book of geneology, William would send a little money and then August tried to get some material from the Priest. This being about 1910. He used to take in the missionaries that were from America on a mission to Sweden, he was always very good to these people. August died 28 July 1917 at Briciko, Skaraborg, Sweden. His wife Anna having died 1914 also at Brivick. William died 3 June 1928 at Pleasant Grove, and is buried in the Pleasant Grove Cemetary. This place of death actually being in what is now Orem. But the cemetary of Pleasant Grove is in the town of such named. Augusta his wife died 21 March 1904 and Eva his wife died at an early age, having died 20 December 1901 and is buried in the Pleasant Grove Cemetary. Andres the husband of Sophia died 3 March 1910 and is buried in the Grantsville Cemetary. John died 10 June 1929 at Holliday and is buried in the Holliday Cemetary. His first wife died in Sweden 24 April 1903. His second wife, Mary died 30 October 1951 and is buried next to her husband John. The following information was sent by Nellie May Bjork Peterson. It consists of interesting material on her father, John Gustave Bjork. "He was a Captain in the Army until he developed back trouble and was discharged. After that he took up being a fisherman until his nets were lost at sea during a violent storm and having no money to buy new nets he was unable to continue thist ype of work. He then did various jobs of whatever he could obtain. On one occasion when the Bjork family had invited the missionaries to eat at their home, they being very poor at that time, with no money to buy food with which to feed many outside of their own family, but the mother with great faith and courage decided to go to the sotre to try and get some food for her family and to help those missionaries out by preparing some kind of a meal. After her arrival at the store she opened her purse to find that in her coin purse was enough to pay for the food she needed. John worked in a brewery for a short time. This type of work required that the men stand in water up to their knees for many hours at a time. He took sick and had a high fever for many days. When he finally recovered from this illness he discovered that he had lost his hearing. One day he decided to go to his fathers house to visit. On his way to his father's he had to pass through a forest, he realized then that he was unable to hear the beautiful birds or anything else. When he arrived at his father's house, his father ask him to help put a roof on his house, and during thist ime there was an eclipse of the sun. John became frightened, thinking that the end of the world had come. His father told him not to be afraid, and then gave John a blessing. John's father, Johannes had joined the Mormon Church by this time, this being around 1857, and he began to preach this gospel to John. John could hear his father's words and understood and he believed this gospel to be true, he felt it was the true church. After his father had finished talking to him, he found that he was unable to hear. As he left for home and again walked through the forest he realized that he could hear the birds sing. This must have been great joy and truly a miracle to him. From this time forward whenever John found his hearing was poor he would have the Elders of the Mormon Church administer to him and he would realize a great blessing from this. Most of the people in Sweden lived under a strict feudal system. The land was owned by Lords of Estates. The people who lived on the estates were given a small plot of ground and a one room house to live in. They had to work most of the time on the estate just for the privilege of living there but had to subsist off of what they could grow on theri own small plot of ground. They were so poor they never had anymoney to buy clothes so they wove shirts out of rushes. Until they had worn the shirts for quite sometime and worn them smooth, they were so rough they rubbed their skin until it was raw and bleeding. On man raise a calf which, if he was able to sell it, was all his family would have to live on for a year. He took his calf to town but was unable to sell it. There was nothing for him to do but go home and try to sell it at another time or else eat it themselves. He started home but felt faint so he tied his calf to a tree and sat down beside it. When they found him he was dead. An autopsy was performed and it was found he died of starvation. There were a few blades of grass in his stomach which he had tried to eat, but that was all. The Lords of the Estates had the power of life and death over the subjects and would often beat their help to death. One day John saw a man being beaten to death and took his part. He told the Lord of the Estate he would have to beat him too, as he could not stand by and see this man killed. The Lord of teh Estates could have killed them both but he turned instead and went into his house. From that time on, John was known as Kaltsbarian, (the name of the district in which he lived) for standing up to the head of the estate. The King allowed this system to flourish. When the Elders of the Mormon Church first arrived in Sweden to preach the Gospel he would nto allow them to preach. He finally became extemely ill, a horse was killed every morning and the King was wrapped in the hide. He finally died a terrible death, with all his help tried to do. The next King took the right of life and death away from the Lords and he also let the missionaries into the country to preach. John went to work before daylight. His wife, Christina gave him a lunch which consisted mainly of dried bread. Many times he would bring it home at night so his children could have more to eat. While in Sweden, John worked with a man by the name of Erickson, who invented the Monitor, which was used to a great advantage by the North in the Civil War, as it was the first ship made with propellors under the water to enable it to out maneuver the other vessels. He also invented the revolving turrent for mounting guns and probably the screw propellor. Sweden would not accept his new inventions so he brought them to America. One day John walked through a forest to go to a certain town to look for work. Although John was not afraid and was a large strong man, he found as he walked through this forest a terrible feeling came over him and he became so frightened that his skin crept and his hair stood straight on end. He was unable to figure why he was so frightened this way. After his arrival in town, he mentioned the forest he had came through, and the towns people told him that no one walks through that forest that they were all afraid. Later he found out why, many years ago a great battle had been fought in that particular forest and thousand of men had been killed. While John was still in Sweden he worked under a Lord of an Estate, in which this Lord had been given some lime to put on his soil and inasmuch as it was something very new he was afraid to try it, so he told John if he would take a piece of ground and try it he would give him part of the crop. The crops grew so good that John got enough money to pay for his passage to America. When he landed in New York he had only five cents left. He bought a cucumber with it because a sailor had told him how wonderful they were to eat. But John found that he had just thrown his last nickel away for it was terrible and he could not eat it. He had not food from New York to Ogden, except what other people gave him as he had no money to buy with. When John arrived in Ogden, Utah, the Relief Society of the Mormon Church met the train and gave all the people on it cake and something to drink, of which John was very glad. After John's arrival in Utah, he herded sheep for around eight years for a brother of Brigham Young. Eventually John bought a team of horses, and at that time horses were so scarce that he had an offer int rade for these horses, all the land east of Eagle Gate in exchange for his team. However, he felt he needed his team worse, finally John went down to Provo Bench where his brother William lived, settling here for awhile, later moving to Holliday where he made his home. We would like to thank the following people for making this history possible; Beatrice and Murvel Walker, Nettie Bennion,Nellie Peterson (Some of these names are cut off of the paper that I have so I was unable to fully list them all. Only listed ones I could read.)

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